Internal combustion engine



June 27, 1933. R. WISHON INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Oct. 6, 1930Patented June l27,1 17933 UNITED STATES PATENT Orrice RALPH WIsHON, OFCHICAGO, ',ILLINoIs, AssIsNOn To PACKARD MOToRjcaacoM- PANY, vorDETROIT, MICHIGAN, A- CORPORATION or MICHIGAN INTERNAL cOMBUsTrON ENGINEApplication lerd October 6, 1930. Serial No.) 486,559.

l.My invention relates to internal combus# tion-engines and is concernedprimarily with an improved manner of securing the vcrank case andcylinders together.

, An object ofimy inventionis to devise'a light-weight engine crankcase. composed of sections Which are arranged and secured together andwhich fasten the cylindersthere- With in a mannery such that the crankcase is statically loaded to eliminate any `possible reversal of forcesduring operation.

A further object is to provide an engine construction in Whichthe crank,case and cylinders are attached together by Ysubstantially-a Wedgingactionlvvhose degree' of tightness may be' regulated as desired.

A further object is the provision of a construction of the characterdescribedand preferablyone comprising a drum typeof 'crank case with theengine cylinders disposed ran -dially therearound, the latterv beingsecured in position by disc-like, end sections of the case which areundertensional stress, greater than-that developed therein by themaximum explosive: force operatingV in any cylinder. i A furtherObjectis to provide anengine construction inv Which the crank case maybe formed of members having relatively thin sections, such as 'pressedsteel and in which they machining is 'reduced to a minimum, the enginebeingl therefore particularly adaptable for aircraft operation becauseof its light Weight and capable ofrmanufacture aty relatively lovv cost.The orthodox manner of attaching sepaI rately lformed cylinders toengine crank cases consists `generally in the use lof bolts or sim ilarlthreade'd'fastening means, such as studs, which are customarily mountedin the case and extend through suitable perforations in the cylinderflanges.l However, this type of fastening subjects the crank case toperiodic tensile 'loads Whose area of distribution is en-y compassedroughly Within thev region of the fastening means for each cylinder.Fasten'- ings'of this nature do not present any, serious operationproblems when used in engines hav-` ing a relativelylow compressionratio, such vas carburetion engines, but vha-ve not been foundsatisfactory in engines having a relatively high compression ratio, suchas compression-ignition or solid fuel injection engines, unless thecrank case is providedvvith relatively heavy sections to resist thetensile stresses in question! Increasing thevvall thickness of thecrankcase, however, adds to the Weight of the engine and obviously affectsthe Weight-power ratio of the engine in an adverseinannei, butinaircraft engines', such as the present invention more particularlycontemplates, it is particularly desired not only toy avoid any increasein the engine Weight, but toactually secure a decrease in Weightconsistent With ay proper observance of strength requirements.

In eectuating the above, the present invention proposes the attachmentof the cyl-y inders to the 'crank case and their retention in positionby means WhichY provides for a satisfactory distribution of the stressesarisi ing during engine operation. These stresses "ordinarilyl resultfrom explosion forces in the cylinders, side thrusts of the pistons, andensuing vibrations. In the present instance, the crank case hassubstantially the aspect of a drum, from the lateral surface of whichseat-ably project in radial directions these'veral cylinders of theengine. The end sections 'are providedv'ivith flanges which overliesuitably formed anges formed on-the cyl-` inders and tightening meansare provided forV securing the desired retainingengagement of theflanges on the endV sections With-the flanges on ther cylinders, thesetightening means establishing in the indicated-sections a predeterminedtensional stress Which opcrates across the faces thereof and isinitially set up to a figure considerably beyond any pressure that maybe Vdeveloped in the cylindersrdue to the expansion of the explosive.

mixtures after combustion. The cylinders are accordingly held to theirrespective seats under all' conditions of engine operation with anadequate factor of safety. `Kindred coinpressive stresses are alsoestablished inthe crank' case member interposed between the end'sections.A f/ Y These and further object-s of my invention will be setforth in the following specification, reference being had to theaccompanying 2-2 1n Fig.

drawing, and the novel means by which said objects are efectuated willbe vdefinitely i pointedout in the claims. In the drawing,

" i Figure 1 is a front elevation, partly in section, of an internalcombustion engine embodying the presentinvention. Fi 2 is a sectionalview along the line l, looking in the direction of the am" gj j j` Fig.3 is an enlarged section of'thel'ower end of the engine, as viewed inFig. 2 showing the manner of tightening theend sections of the crank`case to more firmly grip the flanges on the engine cylinders.

Fig. 4 a, plan viewgof one of the engine cylinders, as viewed inthevdirection ofthe arrow 4 nfvFig. 1. f l v F 5 is anelevationofflthebolt. member tion/ofthe arrow` 5in. Fig. 1. v i Fig. 6.is an elevation of the sleeve member of the-securing means, asfviewedinthe direction of the arrow-5 in F ig.v 1. 1 i AThe numeral 10 representsgenerically a seven-cylinder, radial type internall Combustion enginewhich mayfemploy either the compression ignition or the .solid fuelinjection system of operation. The crankcase of 3% theengine l0comprises alcircular ring y11 ,Eachc linder 14eY provided with. a pairof oppositely extending llangesl, 16 (see F' .f v1.) whichfextend inopposite directions allz are` appropriatelycurved to conform to theycurvature vofyand seat on, the ring 11; The width ofthe flanges 16 isgreater thanfthe `diameter-of the holes` 1f2,.and preferably exftendinlfwidth at least tothe sides' of the fl'an'ge'sgprovided Aonthering 11. The end facesjoitheanges 16 on each "cylinder are disposed-inflabutting relation with the correspondingfaces-on the `flanges ofJan'adjoiningcylindr 'and rotary motion of each cylinder in a-planenormalitoytheaxis thereof is prevented bya pair ofdowel pins' 17,one end of `each of which is` mounted inthe ring 11' i andl with theoppositeend extending through an 4adjacentflange 16'. f f v Thef outersurface -of videdwith apair ofbeveled surfaces 18 which taper downwardlyand away from the associated; cylinder, as viewed in. Fig. 2, andwhichextend ytheffulllengthfofy theside edges ofsnid; flanges'.Overlying the beveled/surofthe securing means, as v-iewedAin-thedirecthe anges ldis pro? 22 whichy `constitute the end members of theengine crank case and which are preferably formed ofrelativel'y thinmetal, such as steel. The end sections 21 and 22 arersubstautiallydisc-like in appearanccand are provided withI centrally disposed holes23 and 24, respectivef ly,which are defined respectively, bv inward'- 1ymmeaanauiarl nges 25 weee, within Whicharecarried, respectively, therear main crank bearing, 27 and the front main crank Vbearing, 28. "Theordinary crank shaft 29 Y is mounted in the indicated bearings, the leftend of said shaft, as" viewed in Fig. 2, eX- tending beyondtheered;section` 21A vfor attachmen-t to any suitable startingmechanism, not shown.` The opposite-fend `ofsaid shaft is carried in acombined lthrustand radial bearing, represented generically bythenumeral 30 in Fig. 2,: which bearingV is carried. inone end ofk aspacertube 31, the apposite end-of which maybe suitably attached, as bywelding or by other means, to the'end section 22. A frustro conicalsection32, whichffunctions substantially as a strutymemher,extendsbetween'the periphery of the-end member22 andi thespacing tube31, beingl secured thereto by any approvedsmeans.- .-.f y In ordertoretiu; the severalcylinders 14 in the positionsashownugainst the high:ressure present during `operation,the fo lowing instrumentalitiesareiemployed in order tol tightly engaigexthe peripheral flanges 19 and20with the cylinder flanges` 16. At con-y venient locations` arund 4.theperiphery of the endv Vsections-21 and 2,2, `and preferably disposedvsymmetrir'ssrlly:with respect to the abutting endiV faces of'tlieAcylinder flanges 1'6, is a pluralityy of'ou'twardlyextending ears 33and34 formedsjnespect-ively, on'` the end" sections- 21,5end ,22g` Adjacentthel ends of, each ear, a pairfof holes-'351m providedfand lholesj36,similarly positioned with respect to the holes 35, are formed Vintheearr 34.

Extendin through i the holes 35 I is a ,substantiallyV rU's aped, clip.ybolt 37 havinga base 38 which isintended tolengage with the outersurface of the ear 33 and- .with: whichbase member is integrally formedla pair offbolt members 39, V39.y which extend through the `holes 3 5.Thefendslof,thegbaseimember 38 preferably extend beyond.' their junctionwith the bolt members 39 toprovideithe projecting portions {10,40(seeFig.l in order Vto nestb` lisha more 'eflicientfcontact with the surfaceof the ear. V33,- when the bolti 3( isY drawn up tightly las hereinafterdescribed. They bolt members-39 are lintendedtoibe received within thelimbp )rti ons"4fll of a substantially U1 shaped, sleeve member 42'having a basemem ber 43,,thelimbportions41entendingfthrought the holes43670i the ear- 34r,-with thefendsfof the vbolt rInembers39projeetingybeyondgthe base member flj-togreceivef thereon. nuts ,442

lare' then tightenedto thereby cause the peveiative pressure whichwithithe bolt 37, the sleeve member 43 l ized aroundy theshank portionsv4ofthe bolt structures,y

mln assemblingthe engine, the cylinders 14 are fiirstplaced inVtheappropriate holes 12 and doweled in position by the pins 17.`

Ther after, the end sections 21`and 2,2'are placed in position, followedby an insertion ofthe bolts? and sleeves 43. The bolts 39 ripheralflanges 19and 20 to ride upwardly along the beveledsurfacesl on thecylinder fianges fortiglitlyretaining the several cylinders in positionby substantially a wedging movementI and also toestablish apred'etermined tensional stress across the end sections 21 and 22, the' actionybeing closely analogous to the tightening of the skin heads of a drum.These stresses operateacrossthe sectionsk in questioii and are,initially/*setup toa point which is considerably* greater thananyystress which can be developed inthe sections by op? obtain in theseveral cylinders,`

As the initial tensional tions .21and122iis greater than that developedtherein by'inaxiniuin operation or eX- fjplosive forces, the crankcasedwill :be `stat-y ically loaded .and thus any possible reversalenforces, tendingto cause fatigueV Vtherein l lt will 'thusv be seenthat Awithfa statically during operation of the engine, is eliminated.

loadedv crank case, such' as yhas l.been herein described, stressing ofthe cranlccase can he greater Vthan stressing causedby possible orreversal of stresses during opthe engine, and therefore a statvariationseration of Rally/loaded crank. case can be formed of' thinner material,and hence `of lighter 1 4 weight, thanwhen fatigue stresses niust be ltaken into account, and `it is well-known that fatigue stresses must betaken into account if the crank case is not statically loaded.

Forsake offurtherrillustration and eX- planation, let us assume thatwith the engine illustrated thepmairi-inum explosion force in eachcylinder .is18,200fpounds, the crank case is 20 in diameter with thewallsections 21v and 22 .of l, zinthickness, the two iiange edges of eachcylinder which `engage'with vthe crank case are 19 long making a totalof 18 bearing surface,-and the initial tensuch circumstances, the areaof thefsections 2l.and22 taking` the eXplosionrloadof each stress in the`sec-l cylinderis ls squarelinches which produces rapproximately 10,000pounds per square inch tension stress in each of the two wall sections.Aseachfof the-wall'sections 21 and'22 is under anfinitial tensionstressfof. 15,000 pounds perv sion and operation forces will fail tocause l reversal of forces kbecause the condition of static loadingispresent. TWith such static loading of thewalls 21-and 22, a muchthinner ywall can be employed than when fatigue, stresses inust be takeninto account and, underlsuch circumstances, a lighter engine can bebuilt. i

The inclined nature ofthe contact between the cylinder i flanges and theperipheral flanges 19 and 20 permits any'degree of tight'- ness tobeestablished between the indicated surfaces, within the limits of themaximum strengthof the material. ,The construction is therefore highlyVeXible and perinitsof ready adaptation to a variety of engine'typesaiidsizes, An engine constructed in the foregoing inanner may bemanufactured with a i minimum of machining and, being construct-y edv ofrelatively,v light sections, its weight power ratio will he low and itwilltherefore be particularly Vdesirable for aircraft service.

liioi'eover, the cylinders may be conveniently removed for any'purpose.i i

While l have shown one set of elementsv and combinations thereof foreffectuating'rny inif ease having a center section and-end wallsections,a cylinder, flanges extending from the cylinder engaging with the centersection ofv the crank vcase and having` exterior inclined surfaces,flanges on the end wall sections havinclined'surfaces co-operatingwiththe inclined cylinderfiange surfaces in the manner ofv a wedge, andmeans for drawing 'said' co-operating inclined surfaces into a wedge`ing positionestablishingy a predeterminedl tensionalv stress in saidvend wallsections `which is in excess of that resulting from engineoperating forces.

2. In' a radial engine, the combination of a drum-shaped crank casecomprising a center section andendwall sections, aplurality of cylindershaving portions kbearing againstA the center section of the crank case,means i for securing said cylinders in positionon the crank casecomprising parts on the end. wall sections' cto-operating with the partsof Ithe cylinders bearing-against the crank case byl a wedging action,and-means for drawingtheles ne me we @were ,we qrhegsma im@ tightengagement withr-the'cylinder parts," Such 'engagement suilicient to.yinitially `:the gend. wall sections more than 4the stress-developedtherein by operating forces oftheengine.f au3,2` '1,- V ,i

In af1adial engine, -thecombinahionoa `spacermember separating said endmembers, a plurality, of [cylinders ,disposed :around Tand `bearingagainstthe periphery of said spacer l member,;parts onfsaid cylindersandfend memf. bers; cooperating. substantially by wedgi'ng action to:retain said"cylinders, in position,

and creating-a highertensional stress in the membersthanthatde/velopec'lby exper-tl ation forces of `the -engine, "andfmeanslfor drawing said Yparts tightly .finto engagement.

- 4;"11'1 aradial'engine, the 'combination of'a crank case @comprisingend members `and a t spacermember-separating said end'niembers,

. tion and to initially'stress tliegend members 'to f la'gplurality(1f-cylindersdisposed aroundand bearingagainst'theperiphery. of `said spacer member, and aparts on saidicylindersv endend.

. members formed fasfcooperatifnginclined snrfacesfor mutual enga'gementin the manner of ya wedge tofsecnre said cylinders -m 1posla. reaterkextent thanth'at -to which they' are su jected by t explosioniforccs,:and means ,for

' drawing said parts Atightly finto'fengagement a-crankcasecompr'isingend-members havingl a, telativelythm sectionand a sp'a'cerzr'nemberv f5.In Ia. radial engine, theicombixmtimi of a crank 4case comprising endmembers .l and a, spacer :memberlseparatingsaid end members,

a plurality ofycylinders disposed around and bearing against=`theperiphery of :said spacer member, said end members 'havingnjlrelatively, thin section, parts on "said cylinders end. memberscooperatingff-substantially in a Wedging' action? to retainsaidcylinders in position.y and means fordrawingfsaidaparts tigitlyintoengagement ftoigestablish A'a' predeterminedptensional stressyinf the iwalls of said vendj*members which is: greater-than thatdeveloped therein byexplosion'iforces.

6. fIn'aradialengine, the'combinati-on of separating4saidgilend.n1embci's,f'-a plurality l of Cylinders disposed around;1--,and bearing against the peiiphenv-of saidspacermember,

partsonl said cylinders," and endrmember formed. substantiallyascooperating; inclined snrfaces `forl f mutual' engagement fini themanner of a Wedge to retain'saidf'cylindersj-in position, and means fordrawingr said parts tightly into engagement to establish a'-predetermined tensionnl stressginth'e walls oi;`

said rend members which is lgreater than that developed therein bvexplosionforces.' 5 f "I, Inv radial-engine, the combination YVofanfpenended, cylindricalv section, n pluy rality` of cylinders idisposed Iaroundalnd having yflanges resting on E said section, lendSFC- 5.0113; fformngiwvith said foylindrical. section ivelopedibyexplion forces.

the crankcasee-oif the engins yand the `endsectidns to ka greater extentthan #that developed therein' by n explosion forces. i

9. lnta `radial engine, the combination ofanopenended,.cylindrioalsection, a plurality of cylinders .disposedaround, and `having flanges restingfonsaid section, relatively thin,

endfsections",1said flanges having abeveled edge `forming .with saidcylindrical section the fczanklcase 'ofy the exigirle v-andfhavingindlineal 'Pflanges fengagig with `the 4beveled edgesfofssnid cylinder.'ilanges, and means for drawing 'both sets of flanges tightlytogethertolretainsaid cylinders in Aposition and to establish predetermined.tensional stress in cylinders in `posltion andfinitially stressing saidend sections gfeater thanthatdeveloped therein fhyengine operatingforces. V

10Q-[In :a radial. engine, the combination ofi. yan openlended,cylindrical section, a splul ralityof cylinders-disposed around and`having jflangesres'tingon said section,the end faceson Iadjacentcylinder flanges Aahuttin each other, endsections forming :Lwith saicylindrical'section'the crank case ofthe engine and having flangesengaging 'with said cylinder flangesto 'retain` said cylinders inposition,.fand lmeans forf'holding 'said en'tl sections in position, andinitially stressing ythe end sections more i than they A'are stressed byengineloperationtforces.

ll1. lIn aradial engine, thecombination of an open-ended, cylindricalsection, a Eplurality-of cylindersdisposed around and'havingflangesrestingon said section, said flanges lhaving 1a beveled edge,:endsections 'forming with said' cylindricalv section the crankicase of thevengme and having inclined flanges engaging `With wsaidy cylinderflanges along the ,bevelededgesthereoh ears formedon said inclinedyflanges, andV bolts connecting sai'd'ears 'for drawing both of fflangestightlyY togetherjto retain said cylinders in position'and stressingtheendxsections more than they Aare A.-streseed i by explosion gforces.`12; Infa radial en ine, the combinationlof an' "open-ended, cylindricalsection, ta *plu-I rality of cylindersfdisposed aroundiand havingflanges-resting `on `said section, said ilanges Yhaving ai benlediedga,mnd :sections forming with said cylindrical section the crank casek ofthe engine and having peripheral, inclined flanges engaging with saidcylinder flanges on the. beveled edges thereof, elongated ears formed onsaid peripheral flanges having a pair of bolt holes, and U- shaped clipbolts passing through said holes for Vconnecting said ears and drawingthe f saine tightly into engagement with said beveled edges to retainsaid cylinders in position.

13. In a radial engine, the combination of an open-ended, cylindricalsection, a plurality of cylinders disposed around and having flangesresting on said section, said flanges having a beveled edge, the endfaces on adjacent cylinder flanges abutting each other, end sectionsforming with said cylindrical section the crank case of the'engine andhaving peripheral, inclined flanges engaging with the beveled surfacesof said cylinder flanges, elongated ears having bolt holes and formed onsaid peripheral flangesl for symmetrical 'disposition with reference toksaid abutting faces, andbolts passing through said holes for connectingsaid ears and drawing the same tightly into engagement with said bevelededges to retain said cylinders in position. f f

14. In a radial engine, the combination of a drum-shaped crank casecomprising'a cylindrical center sectionand thin wall end sections.having peripheral flanges inclined in facing relation, a plurality'ofcylinders disposed around and bearing against said center section andhaving beveled flanges engageable with said peripheral flanges, andmeans for drawing the peripheral flanges of said end sections towardeach other to secure said cylinders in position and to establish apredetermined tensional-stress in said end sections. f o 1 y 15. In aradial engine, the combination of a drum-shaped crank case comprisingacenter member and end members having a relatively thin, wall section, aplurality of cylinders mounted around said center member, means forsecuring said cylinders in position comprising parts on said cylinderandV end members cooperating,substantially by a wedgingaction with thecylinder parts cngaging the center member, and means for drawing saidparts tightly into engagement and for establishing a tensional stress insaid end members in excess of that developed by the maximum pressureoperating in any of said cylinders.

16. In aradialengine, the combination of a drum-shaped crank caselcomprising a center section and relatively thin, cup-shaped endsections having inclined peripherall flanges, a plurality of cylindersmounted around the periphery of said center sect-ion and' having seatingflanges bearing against the center section and provided with beveledsurfaces, said peripheral flanges having a around theperiphery of saidcenter section and having seating flanges bearing against l the centersection and provided with beveled surfaces, said peripheral flangeshaving a retaining engagement with said seating flanges, and boltsmounted on said peripheral flanges and spanning said seating flanges fordrawing both of said flanges tightly into engagement with each other andestablishing tensional stress in said end members in excess of thatdeveloped therein by maximum operating forces. c

18. In a radial engine, the combination of an operi-ended, cylindricalsection, a plurality of cylinders disposed around and having flangesresting on said section, said flanges havinga beveled edge, end sectionsforming with said'cylindrical section the crank case of the engine andhaving peripheral, inclined flanges engaging with said cylinder flangeson the beveled edgesv thereof elongated earsformed on said peripheralflanges having a pair of boltholes, the ears of said end sections facingeach other in associated pairs, U-shaped clip bolts passing through theholes in lthe ears of one of said end sections, and

U-shaped clip sleeves passing` through the holes in the ears of theotherof said endsections, said bolts being insertable through said .'sleeves,and nuts on the projecting ends of saidfbolts for tightly drawing saidperipheral yflanges'into engagement with said beveled edges to retainsaid cylinders in position.

19. In a radial engine, the combination of an open-ended, cylindricalsection, a plurality of cylinders disposed around and having flangesresting kon said section, said flanges having a beveled edge, `the endfaces on adj acent cylinder flanges abutting each other, end sectionsforming with said cylindrical section the cranlrcase of the engine andhaving peripheral, inclined flanges engaging with the beveled surfacesof said cylinder flanges, elongated ears having bolt holes and formed onposition with reference to said abutting faces, and U-shaped yclip boltspassing through said holes for connecting said ears and drawing saidperipheral flangestightlyinto engageinentwith said beveled edges toretain said cylinders in positions. c

In testimony whereof, I have subscribed my name. l c y RALPH, WISHON.

i said peripheral flangesV for symmetrical dis-

